North Pole resident appears at tree-lighting ceremony

South Coast Plaza heralds the holiday season with a 96-food white fir tree on Thursday.

COSTA MESA — Santa Claus played the trumpet. Then, all of the sudden, it was time for everyone to celebrate.

Because Thursday night, Santa said, was the night to light the community tree.

"It's the beginning of us getting into the Christmas spirit," said Penny Fleming, of Newport Beach. "What would we do without the lighting of the tree? It's the first night you can say Merry Christmas."